Study Desk

while they also, by prayer on your behalf, long for you because of the surpassing grace of God on you.

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

as we tear down speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the area of influence which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you.

Or did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because I proclaimed the gospel of God to you without charge?

Why? Because I do not love you? God knows I do!

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a man was caught up to the third heaven.

And I know how such a man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, God knows—

All this time you think we are defending ourselves to you. We speak in Christ in the sight of God. And all these things, beloved, are for your building up.

I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality which they have practiced.

For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God toward you.

Now we pray to God that you do no wrong, not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved.

Finally, brothers, rejoice, be restored, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.

Paul, an apostle—not sent from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,

who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a slave of Christ.

For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it.